44 Best Questions to Ask in An Interview

best questions to ask in an interview

By Mike Simpson

UPDATED 5/23/2022

best questions to ask in an interview

In many ways, an interview is a two-way street. Not only is the hiring manager getting to know you, but it’s also a chance for you to learn more about the hiring manager, the job, and the company. That’s why it’s critical to know which questions to ask in an interview, ensuring you can take advantage of the opportunity.

The best questions to ask an interviewer are designed to get you information you don’t currently have. That way, you can make sure the company and role are the right fit. If you aren’t sure which questions to ask an interviewer, here’s what you need to know.

Preparing Good Questions to Ask the Interviewer

You can learn a lot about an open position through the basic application process. But to really get the down and dirty about what will be expected of you, you need to make sure you prepare good questions to ask the interviewer as well.

Asking the right questions also does more. Along with giving you more information about the job, you’re showing the interviewer that you genuinely care about the position, the company, and your role should you get hired.

According to a Glassdoor Survey of 750 hiring managers, “…nine in ten (88%) hiring decision-makers agree that an informed candidate is a quality candidate.” and that “an informed candidate is prepared for interviews and asks pertinent questions.”

That’s why having questions ready is vital.

Why Do Hiring Managers Want You to Ask Questions?

Why is not asking questions at the end of (and during) the interview a missed opportunity? And why are hiring managers disappointed when interviewees don’t ask questions?

Mainly, it’s because asking questions not only gets you vital information about the job you’re interviewing for, it also shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile to get that information.

Remember, the ultimate goal is always to be the PERFECT CANDIDATE, and that means doing a little extra work before you even get to the interview. By asking the right questions, you are turning the table on the interviewer and taking control of the room.

When you ask tailored questions, you’re proving to the hiring manager that you’re a go-getter. Not asking questions can make it seem like you’re more interested in running away than investing a little more time into finding out what the job is really all about, and that works against you.

On top of that, most hiring managers expect candidates to have questions. Not having questions makes you appear lazy, unmotivated, and unprepared…exactly the opposite of someone they want to hire.

However, the key isn’t to just ask any kind of questions; it’s to make sure you’re asking the right questions.

Choosing the Best Questions to Ask During an Interview

If you’re looking for good questions to ask in an interview, you want to make sure the ones you choose to ask are targeted and fall into specific categories.

Skip options like asking about favorite animals and, if they were stranded on an island, who would they want to be stranded with. Instead, concentrate on serious job-related questions, the types of questions that can ultimately make or break your desire to accept the job should it be offered.

Choose options that cover aspects of both the job and the company and that help ensure the decision you make to take or leave the position is a 100% educated one.

In the end, you want to know what you’re getting yourself into if you land the job. So, how do you decide what questions to ask in an interview? Let’s take a look.

What Questions Should You Be Asking?

As we said earlier, there are specific categories you want to stick to when thinking about questions to ask an interviewer. Here’s an overview of them, along with insights into the type of information you’re trying to gather.

THE JOB

What are you getting hired to do? Sure, you know what the job posting said, but is there anything about the position you’re trying to get that wasn’t in the posting? What are you going to be doing exactly? How long will you be doing that job, and will the job evolve as you continue to work there?

THE REQUIREMENTS

Speaking of doing a job, are you fully prepared to start if you are hired? Is there anything you need to know in order to do the job? Is there any special training or any classes you’re going to be required to take if you’re hired?

THE EXPECTATIONS

How the manager will assess your performance is a critical part of the equation. The best way to meet the goals of your employer is to know upfront what they are. What do they expect from someone who is hired for this position? How do they evaluate that performance? Are there reviews?

THE COMPANY

By the way, who are you actually working for? Not just your supervisor but the company overall. Often, there are things you can’t get from research that can only come from someone on the inside…and the hiring manager is a great resource!

THE PEOPLE

The best job in the world can easily turn into the worst job if you find out you can’t stand the people you’re collaborating with day-in and day-out. Who are your co-workers? What is the existing dynamic? Are you working with a team?

THE ATMOSPHERE

Another important consideration to keep in mind is the culture of the company you are going to work for. What kind of place is it? Are you going to be expected to be 100% buttoned-up and professional at all times, or does the company allow a more relaxed approach to work? Is the mood fun-loving or serious?

THE WAITING GAME

If you’ve completed the interview and it all feels right, it’s wise to ask about the rest of the hiring process. How long should you expect to wait before hearing about the position? Are there further steps that need to be completed?

Choosing The Best Questions to Ask

Now that we have the categories outlined, we can start really drilling down with these questions to ask the interviewer. Yes, we sort of roughed out quite a few when we described the categories, but those are general questions. The questions you want to ask are going to be specific, researched, and tailored!

How do you know which questions are the right ones to ask?

Well, the easiest way to figure out which questions to ask at an interview is through research. Consider what you want to know and see if you can find out on your own. If so, then you can scratch it off the list. If not, it’s worth keeping in your back pocket.

Also, the best questions to ask an interviewer are the ones that lead to a discussion between you and them. Try to avoid anything with a simple yes or no answer while making them specific enough to focus on particular pieces of information.

How Many Questions Should I Ask in An Interview?

You should prepare at least four to five solid questions, though it’s fine to have more at the ready.

Why?

Because odds are, some of your questions might be answered during the course of the interview. If you haven’t prepared enough, you might have nothing left to ask.

Before you run off and begin writing down your questions, remember…tailor, tailor, tailor! How do you do this? The same way you do for traditional and behavioral questions. Do your research. Find qualities and infuse them into your questions to ask. Here’s an example of involving leadership:

“In my past role, I was leaned on heavily to provide leadership to a team of individuals, which I felt was an area that I succeeded in. What are the main responsibilities I would have that would require an elite level of leadership, and could you see my past experience as a team leader benefiting me?”

Disclaimer About “Over-Tailoring”

It’s important to make sure you tailor your questions, but don’t worry about tailoring all of them. Some questions can be straightforward and simple, but keep in mind that the tailoring proves you’re going the extra mile.

14 Great Example Questions to Ask At the End of An Interview

    1. Can you tell me exactly what I would be expected to do if I was hired for this position?
    2. Can you walk me through a typical day here at Company X?
    3. If I were hired for the position, would I be going through any training prior to actually starting the work?
    4. How will I be trained?
    5. What are the performance expectations for this position? Will that expectation change the longer I am doing the job?
    6. Is there an employee performance review process? How often does that occur, and can you walk me through a typical one?
    7. Where do you see the company in 5 years? 10?
    8. Can you tell me what the career paths are for this department and what sort of advancements I could work towards?
    9. Will I be working with a team, and if I am, can you tell me a little about each of them?
    10. Can you tell me about my direct supervisor? Is there anything I should know about working with them that will make my integration a smooth process?
    11. Can you tell me what you love the most about working here?
    12. How would you describe the working environment here? Is work done in a collaborative style, or are employees more independent?
    13. What are the next steps in the interview process?
    14. Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful or questions I can answer?

We’ve prepared 14 solid explanations below to kick start your creative juices, as well as included why they’re good questions to ask the interviewer.

— THE JOB —

1. “Can you tell me exactly what I would be expected to do if I were hired for this position? “

This question helps to make sure you know exactly what you’re going to be doing and what is expected of you. This is a great way to make sure there are no nasty surprises waiting for you when you start.

2. “Can you walk me through a typical day here at Company X?”

Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description.

— THE REQUIREMENTS —

3. “If I were hired for this position, would I be going through any training prior to actually starting the work?”

This is a great question to ask if you are concerned about your ability to adapt to the job. With the right training, an employee can quickly be brought up to company speed. If no training is offered and you’re not sure you know enough to do the job, that creates challenges.

4. “How will I be trained?”

Again, you want to make sure you’re going into the job with your eyes wide open. Training could be as simple as watching a video or reading a brochure, or it could be a much more thorough and in-depth process. The point is, you want to know before you go.

— THE EXPECTATIONS —

5. “What are the performance expectations for this position? Will that expectation change the longer I am doing the job?”

This is a two-part question that ensures you and your employer establish early on what they expect from you performance-wise both now and in the future. If this is a job you plan on sticking with, make sure early on that you know what they want you to do and if that will change over time.

6. “Is there an employee performance review process? How often does that occur, and can you walk me through a typical one?”

Again, a two-part question, but this information is absolutely critical, especially if the results of those reviews impact your ability to advance either your career or your position within the company.

— THE COMPANY —

7. “Where do you see the company in five years? 10?”

This question gives you a sense of how stable your job might be and if it aligns with your long-term career goals. Finding out early on where the company is headed in the long term can help you plan your own trajectory.

8. “Can you tell me what the career paths are for this department and what sort of advancements I could work towards?”

This question can give you a solid idea of the mobility within the company. Since the ultimate goal of any job you take is to advance your career, the last thing you want to do is take a job that offers no further opportunities.

— THE PEOPLE —

9. “Will I be working with a team, and if I am, can you tell me a little about each of them?”

Finding out early on if you’re going to be working with a good team or a horrible team can make your decision process an easy one. After all, the last thing you want to do is get stuck with a bunch of people you can’t stand.

10. “Can you tell me about my direct supervisor? Is there anything I should know about working with them that will make my integration a smooth process?”

Another two-parter, this question is a great way to get a bit of information about your supervisor. Like the rest of the people you’re working with, if it’s not a good match, then it might not be the job for you.

— THE ATMOSPHERE —

11. “Can you tell me what you love the most about working here?”

A good way to get a feel for the company is by asking the hiring manager what keeps them coming in day after day. Ideally, they’ll excitedly share some tidbits. If they struggle to answer, consider it a red flag.

12. “How would you describe the working environment here? Is work done in a collaborative style, or are employees more independent?”

This is a question that gives you a heads up on what you are potentially walking into as far as atmosphere goes but also lets you know what the expectations are for your own performance. Again, two-parter, but the information you’re going to get in return is pure gold.

— THE WAITING GAME —

13. “What are the next steps in the interview process?”

This is not only a question you can ask to show you’re interested in the job; it’s also a great way for you to get some reassurance. Nobody likes waiting to hear back from a company and getting nothing. At least this way, you’re prepped for the timeline.

14. “Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful or questions I can answer?”

This isn’t so much a fact-finding question as it is one last opportunity to let the interviewer make sure they’ve covered all their bases. Brownie points!

30 More Questions to Ask an Interviewer

    1. The job description mentioned [duty or skill in job description]. Can you tell me more about how often it’s needed?
    2. Are there skill gaps in the current team that you’re hoping this candidate fills?
    3. Are projects typically limited to a single team, or are cross-departmental projects common?
    4. What is the biggest challenge the company is facing? How can this new hire help solve it?
    5. Do you have any specific goals for this position within 30 days of hire? What about the first 90 days?
    6. What caused this job to become available? Is it a new position, or was it vacated by a former employee?
    7. How would you describe turnover at this company?
    8. If there was one thing you could change about this workplace, what would it be and why?
    9. Can you describe the types of projects this position will be involved in during the next six months?
    10. How long has this role existed at the company? How has it changed since it was originally added?
    11. What’s a typical career trajectory at the company for someone who accepts this job?
    12. Is there anything preventing me from being your top candidate?
    13. How long have you been with the company? What attracted you to the role initially, and why do you choose to stay?
    14. How would you describe the team culture?
    15. What steps does the company take in regards to diversity and inclusion?
    16. What’s your favorite workplace tradition?
    17. Does the company have mandatory after-hours gatherings?
    18. What sets this company apart from others in the industry?
    19. Does the company have any programs in place to ensure new hires succeed?
    20. What does the onboarding process involve, and how long does it last?
    21. Based on those who’ve held the job in the past, what traits do the top performers have in common?
    22. How does this role support the broader company mission?
    23. Aside from formal reviews, how is feedback delivered?
    24. I recently read that the company [recent achievement]. Can you tell me more about what occurred?
    25. In a news article, I saw that the company [overview of recent innovation]. How will that impact the company and this role moving forward?
    26. What has you excited about the company’s future?
    27. Can you tell me a bit about the direct reports I’ll be supervising?
    28. What steps does the company take to support communication and avoid information silos?
    29. How has the company changed since you came on board?
    30. If you could give the new hire one piece of advice, what would it be and why?

Questions You Should Not Ask In A Job Interview

Ok, now that you have some great questions to ask in an interview, let’s go over the types of questions you should avoid asking. Certain questions can reflect poorly on you, so you want to skip them whenever possible.

Any question related to how much you will be working or how many vacation days the job provides shouldn’t be part of your plan. While some of this info may be important to you, you might come across as lazy if it seems like you’re trying to avoid too much work.

“How soon can I expect to be promoted?” is another question best left unasked. While some candidates think it shows confidence, it’s more likely you will come across as arrogant. Any question that relates to easily found info about the company is another no-go, as it looks like you didn’t do your research.

If the question includes badmouthing your previous employer, skip it. According to a survey by recruiting company JazzHR, 81% of 500 hiring managers surveyed from across the country stated that they would reject any candidate that badmouthed their previous employer, so it’s better to avoid it at all costs.

Putting It All Together

So, there you have it…not only do you now know why you should have good questions to ask in an interview, but you also know how to ask them and what to ask. Make sure you take the same amount of time to prep these as you spend getting ready for the rest of your interview, and above all, be yourself, be genuine, be the PERFECT CANDIDATE…

Good luck!

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About The Author

Mike Simpson

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page.